Dental X-ray-film holder



Jan. 15, 1929.

J. L. HILLMAN DENTAL X-RAY FILu HOLDER Filed Aug; 14, 1926 v- TOR Jaa/fL M70270 BY Patented Jan. 15, 1929.

llltlTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JACK L. HILLMAN, OF WILLOUGHBY TO'WNSI-IIP, LAKE COUNTY, OHIO.

DENTAL X-RAY-FILM HOLDER.

Application filed August 14, 1926.

This invention relates to dental X-ray film holders.

Heretofore in the making of dental radiographs, it has been the almostuniversal practice hold the film packet in position in the patientsmouth by pressing it against the teeth and gums either with the patientsfinger or that of the practitioner. This has been necessary in order tohold the film stationary with respect to the teeth and to hold itclosely adjacent to the teeth and to conform it to the correspondingshape in order to produce a clear-cut radiograph; as well as for otherwell known reasons.

I am aware that means have been proposed heretofore by which the patientmight hold the film by an attachment or other device held between hisupper and lower teeth. But such devices have been expensive anddifficult of manipulation and otherwise unsatisfactory and impracticaland for these and other reasons have not come into use to any greatextent. 7 I am also aware that film packets have been made incorporatinga bite-wing or other member to be held between the teeth of the patientand that such film packet-s have come into use but only forradiographing the crowns and alveolar crests of the teeth.

It is one of the objects of this invention to provide an improved X-rayfilm holder surmounting the objections and difficulties encountered infilm holders proposed heretofore; adapted to be heldbetween the teethand positioned by biting thereupon; and which can be used to radiographall of a tooth or teeth including the roots thereof.

Another object is to provide an improved film holder having suchcharacteristics that it can be placed in position in the mouth of thepatient by the practitioner by means of a simple pair of forceps withlittle or no discomfort to the patient; and that, when the patient bitesthereupomit and/or the film will thereby be moved into position and heldfirmly againstthe teeth and adjacent gums.

Another object is to provide such a film holder adaptable for use as thefilm packet itself or if preferred as a holder for film packets as nowbeing manufactured.

Another object is to provide such a film holder that will be inexpensiveenough to be used once only.

Other objects will be skilled in the art.

In the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 is apparent to those Serial No.123,265

an end view of one form of my invention; Fig. 2 is a front view and Fig.3 a top View thereof; Figures i and 5, respectively, are front and topviews of my improved film holder being held by forceps; Fig. 6 is a viewof my invention when placed between the teeth of the patient; Fig. 7 isa view of my invention when bit-ten upon by the patient and illustrativeof the mechanical action of my invention when the patient bites upon it;Fig. 8 is a view showing how the film holder and film may be bent by thepractitioner; Figures 9, 9 and 10 are views similar to Fig. 1 showingmodifications; Fig. 11 is a. view similar to Fig; 1 but showing my filmholder modified for use in radiographing both upper and lower teeth;Fig. 12 is a view of the film holder of Fig. 11 between the teeth of thepatient; Fig. 13 is a view similar to F ig. 3 showing the film holder ofgreater width, and curved for "adiographing a whole section of the teethat a single exposure; Fig. 14 shows one way of combining the film holderand a film; Figures 15 and 16 are side and front views showing anotherway of combining the film and film holder Fig. 17 is a. view showing a Ivery simple film packet for use with the form of Figures 15 and 16;Figures 18 to 22 inclusive are views showing other ways of combining orasso ciating the film or holder.

Referring to Fig. 1, I show my improved film holder as consisting of asingle piece-0f molded material which is soft and flexible. I preferablyuse rubber but any other suit able material which will not undulyobstruct the passage of the X-rays may be used.

The film holder comprises-an apron 1 in which is carried the X-ray film2; a biteblock 3 adapted to be clamped between the upper and lower teethof the patient; and a head or guide or rim 4 adapted to be engaged bythe'sid'es of the teeth. Along the face of the apron at 5 or in otherwords along one edge of the bite-block and also at 6 along the otheredge of the bite-block, I preferably provide grooves adapted to beengaged by forceps or tweezers in a manner to be de scribed. The film isshown simply imbedded in the apron to simplify the drawing and description at this point. and other modes of combining or associating thefilm with the apron will be disclosed later herein.

It will be noted that as shown in the draw-- ing, the angle 7 betweenthe plane of the unfilm packet with the film Inn der side or under face8 of the bite-block and the inner side or face 9 of the apron is lessthan 90 degrees for purposes to be described. The upper plane or face 10of the bite-block i is shown substantially parallel with the 'ace 8.

The operation of or the mode of using the film holder shown in Figures1, 2 and 3 is as follows: v

The film holder is inserted between the prongs 11 of forceps or tweezersas plainly illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, the prongs of the forceps ortweezers being disposed in the grooves 5 and 6. The practitioner thenplaces the film holder in the mouth of the patient with the bite-block 8between the upper and lower teeth 50 and the apron against the innersides of the teeth 50 and gums 51 as shown in Fig. 6.

it will be understood thatthe teeth to be radiographed in this instanceare the lower teeth.

The bead or rim 4 engages the teeth as shown in Fig. 6; and with theparts in the positions shown in this figure the bead 4 holds the filmholder from movement inwardly while the apron 1 prevents movementoutwardly. V g

If the teeth to be radiographed are molars, the film can be thuspositioned with respect to teeth in the forward part of the mouth, suchas between the bi-cuspids, and then while still being held by theforceps or tweezers the practitioner can slide it into the positiondesired, causing the patient substantially no discomfort or unpleasantsensations. One of the particular discomforts, especially in the case ofmolars, when film packets have been used heretofore has been thetendency to gag the patient caused by pressing upon the tender flesh atthe base of the tongue and by putting the fingers in the mouth to locatethe film and hold it in position. Positioning the film holder as abovedescribed, however, obviates all of this disadvantage and discomfort. 7

When the film holder has been positioned, the patient bites'upon thebite block 3, and as illustrated in Fig. 7 this act causes the apron 1to be pressed firmly against the teeth and against the gums 51 adjacentto the teeth roots and holds the apron and its film securely andimmovably and accurately in the best position for obtaining a clearrad-iograph.

The bead 4 contributes to this result by preventing the bite-block fromslipping or sliding inwardly.

The above described movement or action resulting from biting on theangularly disposed bite-block 3, will be understood by comparing Fig. 7with Fig. 6. When the bite-block 3 is placed between the teeth thebite-block 3 is at an angle with the horizontal and the apron 1 isapproximately vertical. When the patient bites upon the bite-block 3, itwill be apparent that the pressure are erted by the teeth rocks thebite-block 3 into the horizontal position shown in Fig. 7 and as aconsequence the apron 1, tending to move out of the vertical, is pressedagainst the teeth 50 and gums 51 as above described. The apron ispreferably flexible but not necessarily resilient to cooperate in thisaction.

As a variation, if desired, the apron 1 can be partially bent orotherwise formed somewhat as illustrated in Fig. 8, before being placedin the mouth, and when it is desired to do this, a material having lessresilience than rubber may be used or a flexible but relativelynon-resilient component may be associated within the apron with thefilm.

The mechanical action above described, namely the positioning andpressing of the film supporting apron against the teeth and gumsresulting from biting upon the bite block 3 will occur even if there isno flexibility whatever in the material. Preferably T employ a soft andflexible material as described or a soft and resilientmaterial forcomfort to the patient and to enable the apron to more intimatelyconform to the profile of the teeth and gums but as will now beunderstood, ma terial of such character is not essential.

Obviously, other means than the grooves 5 and 6 may be provided to beengaged by forceps or other positioning instruments, or such speciallyprovided means may be omitted entirely.

While I have shown and described the an gle between the bite-block andapron as less than degrees to more easily and clearly bring out one ofthe principles of my invention, this is not a limiting feature. Theadvantages of my invention will be manifested if this angle is a rightangle or greater, although I prefer an acute angle. Furthermore, in Fig.9, I show a modification in which the mechanical action above describedis entirely independent of the said angle; in this form, when thepatient bites upon the bite-block 60, the lower face or wall 61 thereofwill be bent upwardly due to the cavity or perforation 62 and to thefact that the wall 61 is relatively thin, while the face or wall 63being relatively thick will not be bent in or will be bent in relativelylittle. As a result, the apron 1 will be moved out of the vertical (inFig. 9 as and for the purpose hereinbefore described.

I have found that when the apron 1 is pressed against the gums, and evenwhen the lower end of the apron presses against the tender flesh at ornear or below the roots of the teeth very little discomfort orunpleasant sensation is felt particularly if the holder is made of softmaterial and all the corners or edges thereof are rounded asillustrated.

T have also particularly found by experience that what little discomfortis felt is surprisingly mitigated for the patient by his being able tobite or grit his teeth on the biteblock. There is therefore, aninstinctive or psychological advantage in the use of my improved filmholder which makes it markedly more comfortable to the patient than anyfilm holder yet devised; and which contributes to the perfection of theresults obtained with it.

It will be notedthat the apron 1 and its associated film 2 areautomatically held in the best position to obtain a clear radiographwithout relying on their being so held by the patient or practitioner,which minimizes the chances that the radiograph will be blurred or outof focus or distorted or foreshortened; or that an otherwise imperfectradiographic image will be obtained on the film.

In Fig. 9 I show a modification in which only the under face 8 of thebite-block 3 is angularly disposed, the upper face 13 thereof beinghorizontal or at a right angle to the apron 1, and in which the bead aand grooves 5 and 6 have been omitted.

In Fig. 10 I show another modification in which a small extension 14 isprovided at the upper end of the apron l in order to enable the upperedge 15 of the film 2 to stand considerably above the lower face 8 ofthe biteblock 3 so that all of the upper surface of the tooth beingradiographed will appear on the negative with a substantial marginbesides, and to even show a part of the mating tooth on the other face10 of the bite-block 3. (See Fig. 7.) In other words, all of a lowertooth may be radiographed with sufiicient of the corresponding matingupper tooth to assist in identification.

It will therefore be apparent that the principle of my invention may beembodied in a great variety of forms of bite-block and apron etc.

In Figures 11 and 12 I show my improved film holder as modified for usein radiographing both upper and lower teeth on the same filmsimultaneously. It consists of a film 16 of greater length, and of twobite-blocks 18 and 19. The bite-blocks 18 and 19 are dis posed at angles20 and 21 respectively, each less than 90 degrees, with the apron 17 andare separated from each other by a space 22. When the film holder isplaced between the teeth and the patient bites upon it, the space 22closes up and the holder takes up the position shown in Fig. 12, one endor one half of the apron 17 being pressed against the upper tooth orteeth and gums and the other half against the lower.

The action or movement of the parts of the film holder by which thiscomes about will be understood from the foregoing description inconnection with the single film holder therein disclosed.

In Fig. 13, I show my film holder extended in width and curved so thatwhen placed in the mouth the film 25 therein will be coextensive with agreater number of teeth. Only the top view, similar to Fig. 3, is shown,since it is believed that the character of the parts will be understoodfrom the several other views of the holder which I have shown. Thebite-block is shown at 23, the apron at 2 1, the film at 25 and the beadat 26. In this form the parts may be extended around in width for asufficient distance, on a suitable curve, and so as to conform to thegeneral shape of the jaw, to be wide enough to radiograph a wholesection of the teeth in the jaw, such as a third a half or the wholejaw. It will be understood, of course, in this connection that when sucha film and holder is used it may be necessary to move the head of thepatient or to move the source of the X-rays in order to properly exposeall parts of the film; but this will be understood by those skilled inthe art of radiography and it is not deemed necessary to describe indetail this part of the technique of using my improved film holder.

In the foregoing I have, for the sake of simplicity in the drawing,simply indicated the film as embedded in the material of the apron l, asat- 2, 16 and 25. In practice it may be more desirable to employ othermeans of associating and combining the film and the apron, some of whichI have illustrated in *igures 14 to 22 and will now describe.

In Fig. 14, the apron 1 is made hollow, like a bag or pouch having theinterior chamber 27. The film 28, and other components usually embodiedin a film packet, may be placed in the pouch and then the lower endsealed as at 29 in any suitable manner such as cementing or vulcanizing(in the case of rubber).

In Figures 15 and 16 the pouch 30 is open at the top as at 31; the filmand other components are wrapped or folded within an envelope 32 asshown in Fig. 17 and the film packet 32 thus constituted is slipped intothe pocket or pouch as shown in Fig. 16; sealing it therein is notnecessary but may be employed.

In Fig. 18 a depression or shallow recess 33 is made in the face of theapron 1 thus providing a bead 34 arouud the face of the apron and thefilm and other components 35 are placed therein and a cover 36 is placedthereover and sealed thereupon on the head 34.

In F ig; 19 I show an overhanging bead or undercut rim 37 around theedge of the apron 1 within which the film 38 and a light proof component39 are placed, the resilience of the apron, if made of rubber or thelike, suflicing to seal the edges of, the film and components againstlight.

In Fig. 20 I show the apron 1 and a com mercial film packet 40, thelatter complete in itself and cemented or otherwise secured to the apron1 on the side thereof to be placed opposite the teeth.

In Fig. 21 I show a form similar to that of Fig. 20 except that the filmpack 40 is shown on the side of the apron l to be placed adjacent to theteeth.

In Fig. 22 I have shown a form in which the apron l is of reduced lengthand is provided with a strap or clamp 41 for adjustably holding acommercial or other film packet 40 on the apron.

The Various figures with the exception of Figures 11 and 12 and theforegoing description are largely illustrative of my in vention as usedto radiograph lower teeth but it will be apparent and obvious that itmay be similarly used to radiograph upper teeth.

Films of any suitable type and combined with the usual or any suitablecomponents such as sheet lead and light excluding paper, etc., maybeemployed with any film or film packet holder.

I claim:

1. In a dental X-ray film holder, a bite piece adapted to be heldbetween the teeth of a patient and an apron adapted to support a filmdepending from one side of the bite piece, formed at an angle theretoand integrally therewith and of flexible moisture-proof material, and arib on the opposite side of the bite piece.

2. In a dental X-ray film holder, a bite piece adapted to be held uponthe crown of a patients tooth-tobs-photographed, by the bite of thepatient, an apron depending from one side of the bite piece and formedintegrally therewith of flexible moistureproot mate rial and comprisinga pocket adapted to receive and support a film for photographing saidtooth, with one edge of the film extending beyond the crown of thetooth.

3. In a dental X-ray film holder, a bite piece adapted to be held uponthe crown of a patients tooth-tO-bephOtographed, by the bite of thepatient, an apron depending from one side of the bite piece and formedintegrally therewith of flexible moisture-proof matcrial and comprisinga pocket adapted to ceive and support a film for photographing saidtooth, with one edge of the film extending beyond the crown of the toothand a rib on the side of the bite piece opposite to the apron.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name.

JACK L. I-IILLMAN.

